That was quick, quicker than Bush's response to the hurricane. Let us be thankful for small mercies.
Why so quick? Could it be because:
Getting a new chief justice of Bush's choosing in place quickly also avoids the scenario of having liberal Justice John Paul Stevens making the decisions about whom to assign cases to and making other decisions that could influence court deliberations. As the court's senior justice, Stevens would take over Rehnquist's administrative duties until a new chief is confirmed.
Maybe.